Fidget-Spinner Toy And Methods Of Using A Fidget-Spinner Toy

ABSTRACT

A fidget-spinner toy capable of being held in one hand between the thumb and another finger comprised of a gyroscopic rotor, means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor which is further comprised of a reciprocating actuator rod, and a tip that rotates independently of the gyroscopic rotor, such that the gyroscopic rotor is rotated about its spin axis as the tip rests on the thumb by moving the thumb and the tip end of the other finger closer together and then farther apart again repeatedly in order to convert bidirectional reciprocating movement of the reciprocating actuator rod into unidirectional rotary motion of the gyroscopic rotor even if the gyroscopic rotor is already rotating rapidly. Methods are also provided that are comprised of first providing the fidget-spinner toy and then using it for fun and to reduce mental stress either while the fidget-spinner toy is being held in the hand or operating independently as a spinning top on any smooth surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/590,628 filed Nov. 26, 2017 by the inventor.

STATEMENT REGARDING SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to fidget-spinner toys, and more specifically, this invention relates to a fidget-spinner toy comprised of a gyroscopic rotor, means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor that's further comprised of a reciprocating actuator rod, and a tip apparatus that rests on a thumb as bidirectional linear movement of the reciprocating actuator rod is converted to unidirectional rotary motion of the gyroscopic rotor by bringing the thumb and the tip end of another finger closer together and then farther apart again repeatedly, and methods of using a fidget-spinner toy either as it's being held in one hand or else as the tip apparatus rests on any smooth surface.

Description of the Prior Art

There are many inventions found in the prior art that are intended for starting, actuating, or launching a spinning top, which implies causing it to rotate about its own vertical spin axis.

They are generally comprised of a spring that's wound tightly by turning the launching device and then temporarily locking the launching device with stressed spring to the spinning top. The launching device is then held stationary while the spring is released somehow to unwind and add momentum to the spinning top, which is then usually released and dropped so it spins on any hard smooth surface. One of the earliest launching devices is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,368,039 where Lindstrom teaches a spinning top comprised of a cap that's wound onto a main body member to tighten a spring. The main body member is then released from the cap to spin freely when it's dropped to the floor by pressing down on a stem located in the center of the cap. Another type of launcher uses a “rip cord” that's pulled through a set of gear teeth. In actual practice, spinning top starters and launchers are designed to actuate a main body member—which is usually a rotor of some sort that effectively exhibits gyroscopic behavior—to spin about its vertical spin axis before the starter or launcher is separated from the main body member in order to allow the main body member to spin freely with the added momentum provided by the separated starter or launcher.

There are spinning top inventions found in the prior art that can be held in one hand and actuated by tugging sidewise on a pull-string. For instance, Duncan discloses in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/779,937 a spinning top that comprises a string that can be wound around a central core. One hand is used to draw the string away from the central core to unwind the string and spin the top as the top is held in the other hand. It is assumed the spinning top is intended to rest on and spin freely on the tip of a finger except that such spinning motion would be impeded by frictional losses inherent from the tip of the top spinning on the soft skin of a finger because the tip seems to be rigidly attached to the dome and rod, which also happen to be spinning components of the spinning top. It's important to note that Duncan's invention requires two hands to operate as intended and it would be much more convenient and less rigorous if there were a fidget-spinner toy, which is similar to a spinning top, that can be held in and operated with one hand only. A fidget-spinner toy, also known commonly as a hand-spinner, is essentially a toy that can be held in one hand and spun about its own vertical spin axis by flicking it or by adding momentum to it by using one or more fingers. Many times, a user will hold the fidget-spinner toy in one hand and use the fingers of the other hand to spin it. A major disadvantage of existing fidget-spinner toys that are flicked with fingers to rotate them is that the fingers impede their motion. After the user flicks the fidget-spinner with a finger to rotate it, the user must wait for the fidget-spinner to slow down or actually stop before the finger can again flick it into action. Basically, a finger cannot move fast enough or its motion is not adequately synchronized with the fidget-spinner toy's rotation to add momentum when the fidget-spinner toy is already spinning. Thus, it would be of great benefit and a lot of fun to adapt a fidget-spinner toy comprised of a gyroscopic rotor and means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor so it rotates around its own vertical spin axis as the fidget-spinner toy is held in one hand between the thumb and the tip end of another finger, and as the thumb and tip of the other finger are brought closer together and then moved farther apart repeatedly. Basically, it would be of great benefit to provide a fidget-spinner toy that's capable of replacing the awkward “flicking” motion of a finger moving sideways and possibly out of synchronization with the rotation of the fidget-spinner toy with the smooth reciprocating motion of the tip of a finger that's repeatedly moving closer together and then father apart again with respect to a thumb on which the fidget-spinner toy is resting and spinning. To clarify, the gyroscopic rotor comprising the fidget-spinner toy is any structure or component that effectively exhibits gyroscopic behavior and which can spin freely and for a long time around its spin axis. To make a fidget-spinner toy capable of operating as stated herein requires employing means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor permanently integrated into the structure of the fidget-spinner toy where the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor never separates from the gyroscopic rotor of the fidget-spinner toy after launching, as may be the case with most starters or launchers. In words, the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor must remain attached to the gyroscopic rotor comprising the fidget-spinner toy at all times so a tip of a finger can move or reciprocate resulting in the reciprocating movement of an actuator rod, stem or arm comprising the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor in order to convert bidirectional linear or reciprocating motion of the tip of a finger moving back and forth with respect to a thumb into unidirectional rotary motion of a gyroscopic rotor comprising the fidget-spinner toy. One design for the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor employs components found in a common pump-top toy, which is also known as a spiral handle spinning top, plunger spin top, or spiral plunger spinning top. The means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor in that case comprises a reciprocating actuator rod that's essentially a spiraled shaft that engages with protrusions in the center of a one-way clutch and which rides along the helical impressions made on the longitudinal surface of the spiraled shaft. The one-way clutch engages with the main body of the fidget-spinner toy when the spiraled shaft (or reciprocating actuator rod in this case) moves down for example, and then it disengages when the spiraled shaft is pulled upward resulting in the gyroscopic rotor comprising the fidget-spinner toy to spin unidirectional. Another design for the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor comprises a piston and cylinder combination where the piston is pulled up and down with the tip end of a single finger so it moves inside the cylinder and supplies high pressure air or fluid that is then made to pass through turbine blades attached to the main body of the spinning top toy, and which then causes the main body to rotate about its vertical spin axis. In that case, the reciprocating actuator rod comprising the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor is comprised of a piston or the connecting-rod holding the piston. A third design for the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor is comprised of a ratcheting-arm and gear assembly where a ratcheting-arm engages with teeth on a gear connected to the main body of the fidget-spinner toy to spin the main body of the fidget-spinner toy when the ratcheting-arm is pushed downward for instance by the tip end of a single finger. Alternatively, when the ratcheting-arm is pulled upward it will cause the ratcheting mechanism to disengage with the teeth of the gear. Bevel gears or a rack and pinion assembly also comprise the ratcheting-type means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor to spin the fidget-spinner toy around its own vertical spin axis. And in that final case, the reciprocating actuator rod comprising the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor is comprised of a ratcheting-arm. Thus, there are many conceivable possibilities for components, especially for the reciprocating actuator rods, that may comprise the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor as long as the bidirectional linear or reciprocating motion of the tip end of a finger is converted into unidirectional rotational motion of the gyroscopic rotor comprising the fidget-spinner toy as it's being held between the thumb and the tip of another other finger on the same hand. The means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor may in some other cases be comprised of a diaphragm, a string or cord, or an elastic band, but they must all be utilized in a manner that allows a fidget-spinner toy to be effectively operated to spin the gyroscopic rotor with one hand only and by “pumping” the thumb and other finger together repeatedly.

It would also be of great benefit to provide a fidget-spinner toy comprised of apparatuses that make it so it can be operated both in a comfortable manner and so it spins for a long time with few frictional losses as it's held between the skin of a thumb and the tip end of another finger of the same hand. One such apparatus is a coil or helical spring that resets the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor to the starting position. For instance, a helical spring resets the reciprocating actuator rod, stem, or arm that comprises the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor by raising it or removing it out of the center of the gyroscopic rotor so it can repeatedly be pressed down or into the gyroscopic rotor with the tip end of a finger. Alternatively, if a reset spring is not employed, then a finger-holding apparatus comprises the fidget-spinner toy, and the finger-holding apparatus comprises a partially open or fully closed loop or ring that's rigidly attached to the top end (that remains outside the gyroscopic rotor at all times) of the reciprocating actuator rod or stem comprising the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor. So the finger-holding apparatus steadies the tip end of a finger that's used to pull out or reset the reciprocating actuator rod to its starting position, and a reset spring may or may not be needed. The bottom button or tip that rests on the skin of the thumb moves independently of the gyroscopic rotor to significantly reduce frictional losses. Also, what would normally be considered to be the “top button” on a common fidget-spinner toy would in this case also be the top or distal end of the reciprocating actuator rod, stem, or arm that comprises the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor and it also moves independently of the gyroscopic rotor. Actually, the reciprocating actuator rod, stem, or arm moves along the spin axis of the gyroscopic rotor or perpendicular to the spin direction of the gyroscopic rotor. Basically, the gyroscopic rotor revolves around and moves independently of the reciprocating actuator rod, stem, or arm comprising the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor and it also moves independently of any component of the fidget-spinner toy that comes into contact with the skin on a finger in order to reduce frictional losses significantly. Thus, it would be very advantageous to provide a fidget-spinner toy comprised of a gyroscopic rotor for providing fun and for relieving stress that's held in and operated with only a single hand and where the gyroscopic rotor is not rotated by physically “flicking” it around with a finger, but which is instead rotated by bringing the thumb and the tip end of another finger closer together and then farther apart repeatedly to move the reciprocating actuator rod linearly and bidirectional so no slow-moving finger ever impedes the motion of the gyroscopic rotor comprising the fidget-spinner toy even if the gyroscopic rotor is already rotating rapidly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing design considerations and methods of using and operating fidget-spinner toys, the present invention provides a fidget-spinner toy comprised of a gyroscopic rotor, means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor which is further comprised of a reciprocating actuator rod, and a tip apparatus capable of resting on a thumb as the gyroscopic rotor is rotated by moving the thumb and the tip end of another finger closer together and then farther apart again repeatedly such that bidirectional linear movement of the reciprocating actuator rod is converted to unidirectional rotary motion of the gyroscopic rotor so momentum can be added to increase the speed of rotation of the gyroscopic rotor even if the gyroscopic rotor is already rotating rapidly, and so smooth reciprocating motion of a finger moving the reciprocating actuator rod replaces the awkward flicking motion of a finger when rotating the gyroscopic rotor.

What's also provided is a method comprised of first providing a fidget-spinner toy that's comprised of a gyroscopic rotor, means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor that's further comprised of a reciprocating actuator rod, and a tip apparatus, then placing the tip apparatus so it rests on a thumb, then moving the thumb and the tip end of another finger closer together and farther apart again repeatedly so bidirectional linear movement of the reciprocating actuator rod is converted to unidirectional rotary motion of the gyroscopic rotor by the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor, or alternatively placing the tip apparatus so it rests on any smooth surface, then rotating the gyroscopic rotor unidirectional by moving said reciprocating actuator rod linearly into and out of the center of the gyroscopic rotor.

Description

A first preferred embodiment of the present invention is a novel fidget-spinner toy that's capable of being held comfortably in one hand between the thumb and the tip end of another finger on the same hand while a generally flat tip apparatus comprising the fidget-spinner toy rests on the thumb, and which can be operated so the gyroscopic rotor comprising the fidget-spinner is rotated around its own vertical spin axis with few frictional losses by moving or bringing the thumb and the tip end of the other finger closer together and then farther apart again repeatedly in order to convert bidirectional linear motion of a reciprocating actuator rod that comprises the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor into unidirectional rotary motion of the gyroscopic rotor. Note that means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor is comprised of a reciprocating actuator rod which is any stem, shaft, or arm structure that can be pushed or pulled up and down or into and out of the center of the gyroscopic rotor in order to rotate the gyroscopic rotor in one direction around its spin axis as the thumb and the tip end of another finger are brought closer together and then moved apart again repeatedly. A reset spring also comprises the first preferred embodiment of the present invention for resetting reset the reciprocating actuator rod comprising the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor as well as the top button to their starting positions. In words, after the reciprocating actuator rod is pressed into the gyroscopic rotor with a fingertip to spin the gyroscopic rotor, the reset spring raises the reciprocating actuator or moves it back out of the gyroscopic rotor to reset the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor for the next spin cycle.

The second preferred embodiment of the present invention is similar to the first embodiment except it comprises a finger-holding apparatus that steadies the tip end of a finger and holds it in position as the finger-holding apparatus is used to push and pull the reciprocating actuator rod up and down or into and out of the center of the gyroscopic rotor in order to reset the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor to its starting position and to being the next spin cycle. As far as the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor comprising the fidget-spinner toy known as the present invention is concerned, if the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor is comprised of the same components used to actuate a pump-top, such as a spiraled shaft and a one-way clutch apparatus then the reciprocating actuator rod comprises or is a spiraled shaft. In the case of a piston and cylinder comprising the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor, the piston comprises or is the reciprocating actuator rod or stem. And if a ratcheting-arm and gear assembly comprises the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor, then the ratcheting-arm comprises or is the reciprocating actuator stem or rod that's pushed or pulled by the tip of a finger to convert bidirectional linear or reciprocating motion of a finger into unidirectional rotary motion of the gyroscopic rotor comprising the fidget-spinner toy.

DRAWINGS Numeral Assignment

-   1—Gyroscopic Rotor -   2—Top Button -   3—Reciprocating Actuator Rod, Stem, or Arm -   4—Bottom Button or Tip Apparatus -   5—Finger-Holding Apparatus

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention which is a fidget-spinner toy having a flattened top button and which uses a spring to reset the means for rotating said the gyroscopic rotor.

FIG. 2 shows the first preferred embodiment of the present invention which is a fidget-spinner toy that's being held with and actuated with one hand only. FIG. 2 also shows one step of any method or process that comprises an additional embodiment of the present invention that further comprises first providing and then using the first preferred embodiment of the present invention for fun and enjoyment.

FIG. 3 shows the second preferred embodiment of the present invention which is a fidget-spinner toy that utilizes a finger-holding apparatus instead of a flattened top button and which requires no reset spring.

FIG. 4 shows the second preferred embodiment of the present invention which is a fidget-spinner toy that utilizes a finger-holding apparatus being held in and actuated with one hand only and as the tip apparatus rests on the thumb.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical fidget-spinner toy that's been configured to operate so it can be comfortably and conveniently held in and operated with a single hand. It's comprised of a gyroscopic rotor 1, top button 2, reciprocating actuator rod 3 that comprises the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor around its spin axis, and a bottom button or tip apparatus 4. Note that all components are capable of revolving independently or freely of the gyroscopic rotor 1. In this case, a reset spring comprises the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor 1 to bring the reciprocating actuator rod 3 back to its starting position each rotating or pumping cycle. In other words, a spring is used to bring or raise the reciprocating actuator rod 3 out of the center of the gyroscopic rotor 1.

FIG. 2 shows the fidget-spinner toy known as the first preferred embodiment of the present invention being held in one hand between the thumb and another finger on the same hand in the typical fashion. The bottom button or tip apparatus 4 of the fidget-spinner toy rests on the thumb while the other finger rests on the top button 2. As the thumb and finger are pressed together repeatedly, the reciprocating actuator rod 3 that comprises the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor, moves up and down or into and out of the center of the gyroscopic rotor 1 which causes the gyroscopic rotor 1 to rotate around its vertical spin axis. During each successive cycle of pumping, the reciprocating actuator rod is raised out of the gyroscopic rotor by the reset spring to restart the cycle that results in the gyroscopic rotor to either speed up or maintain a high rate of rotary motion.

FIG. 3 shows the second preferred embodiment of the present invention which is also a fidget-spinner toy that's been configured so it can be comfortably and conveniently held in and operated with a single hand. It's comprised of a gyroscopic rotor 1, a finger-holding apparatus 5—which replaces a top button as found in typical hand-spinners, an actuating rod 3, and a bottom button or tip apparatus 4. A reset spring may not be required to comprise the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor in this version of the present invention, but it may be added to improve the cycle efficiency or effectiveness. It's evident in the drawing that the gyroscopic rotor 1 is made into or reflects the shape of a basketball. This is an unobvious novelty feature of the present invention in that the gyroscopic rotor 1 can be made into any shape to reflect similarities to a toy action figure, cartoon character, or any other well known or popular item, object, or person of interest to the public. Furthermore, the gyroscopic rotor may also include coloring, special markings, logos, or any other ways to signify association with a toy action figure, cartoon character, or any other well known or popular item, object, or person of interest to the public.

FIG. 4 illustrates the second preferred embodiment of the present invention as it's being held in and operated with a single hand for more comfort and convenience as compared to a typical fidget-spinner, also known as a hand-spinner. It's important to note that the finder-holding apparatus 5 is used to lift or raise the reciprocating actuator rod 3 that comprises the means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor from the center of the gyroscopic rotor 1 each pumping or rotating cycle and that no reset spring is required for doing so. In words, the tip of a finger is inserted into the finger-holding apparatus 5 as shown, and the down and up movement of the finger in relation to the more stationary thumb pushes and pulls the reciprocating actuator rod 3 into and out of the center of the gyroscopic rotor 1, respectively. FIG. 4 also shows one step of any method or process that comprises an additional embodiment of the present invention that further comprises first providing and then using the second preferred embodiment of the present invention for fun and enjoyment.

Additional Embodiments

The gyroscopic rotor and all components of the fidget-spinner toy known as the present invention can be made of any known materials or physical elements. For example, the parts of the gyroscopic rotor can comprise metal components, which would understandably make them heavier and more apt to exhibit gyroscopic effects, especially if most of the added weight is located on an outside rim or edge.

The fidget-spinner toy known as the present invention may also be comprised of apparatuses that generate noises or sounds, such as a humming sound similar to common spinning tops when they're spinning very fast.

The fidget-spinner toy known as the present invention may also be comprised of apparatuses that generate electric power from its own spinning tendencies. In that case, an on-board electric generator or an on-board electrochemical battery can be used to power LED lights comprising the fidget-spinner toy and mounted in any arrangement or number to give it eye-catching lighting effects.

The reciprocating actuator rod is comprised of any elongated structure or apparatus that can be moved up and down or into and out of the center of the gyroscopic rotor repeatedly by the tip end of a finger with respect to a thumb on which the fidget-spinner toy is resting and spinning in order to actuate the means for rotating said gyroscopic rotor and spin the gyroscopic rotor around its own spin axis.

The finger-holding apparatus is comprised of a fully-closed or partially-open ring or loop, a rubber-band, a magnet, or any other structure or apparatus that can hold the tip end of a finger firmly and temporarily to one end of the reciprocating actuator rod so that the tip end of the finger does not move significantly side-to-side or slip in any way off the end of the reciprocating actuator rod during operation of the fidget-spinner toy while it's operating and held between the thumb and the tip end of a finger.

The bottom button or tip apparatus is analogous to a bottom tip of which is similar to what may comprise any spinning top. To be clear, a bottom button would comprise a structure that's generally flat and which can be found in typical fidget-spinner toys, while the tip apparatus would comprise a structure that is mostly tapered and pointed at one end, and which would enable the gyroscopic rotor comprising the fidget-spinner toy to spin independently on any smooth surface as well as when the tip apparatus is resting on a thumb. The tip apparatus may also be comprised of means for holding it temporarily to a thumb while the gyroscopic rotor is rotating and while the tip apparatus is resting on a thumb, or when the entire fidget-spinner toy is held upside down and while the gyroscopic rotor is rotating. Or the tip apparatus can be comprised of holes or slots that receive a part of a separate apparatus that can in turn hold the tip apparatus to a thumb as the gyroscopic rotor spins. Any method comprised of first providing the fidget-spinner known to be the present invention that's comprised of a gyroscopic rotor, means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor, and a reciprocating actuator rod, and then using the provided fidget-spinner toy in any manner and for any purpose will be known by one skilled in the art to be another embodiment of the present invention. Such a method may comprise first providing the fidget-spinner toy known to be the present invention and then simply holding it on a thumb while pumping the thumb and the tip end of another finger together and apart again repeatedly to rotate the gyroscopic rotor. Another possible method would be to first provide the fidget-spinner toy known to be the present invention and then operate it in the usual fashion except the tip of the other finger would be removed at some point so the entire fidget-spinner toy essentially rides on the thumb or tip of another finger as the gyroscopic rotor spins about its own vertical axis. Another method may comprise using the provided fidget-spinner toy known as the present invention independently of a human hand and while it's placed so it spins as a typical spinning top on any smooth surface as the reciprocating actuator rod is repeatedly pumped into and out of the center of the gyroscopic rotor.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by any appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by any examples given. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fidget-spinner toy comprised of a gyroscopic rotor, means for rotating said gyroscopic rotor which is further comprised of a reciprocating actuator rod, and a tip apparatus capable of resting on a thumb as said gyroscopic rotor is rotated by moving said thumb and the tip end of another finger closer together and then farther apart again repeatedly so bidirectional linear movement of said reciprocating actuator rod is converted to unidirectional rotary motion of said gyroscopic rotor, whereby momentum can be added to increase the speed of rotation of said gyroscopic rotor even if said gyroscopic rotor is already rotating rapidly, and so smooth reciprocating motion of said finger moving said reciprocating actuator rod linearly replaces awkward sidewise flicking motion of said finger when directly rotating said gyroscopic rotor.
 2. A fidget-spinner toy, comprising: (a) a gyroscopic rotor, (b) means for rotating said gyroscopic rotor further comprised of a reciprocating actuator rod, and (c) a finger-holding apparatus for receiving said tip end of a finger attached to one end of said reciprocating actuator rod and which spins independently of said gyroscopic rotor, and (d) a tip apparatus for resting on a thumb or on any smooth surface and which spins independently of said gyroscopic rotor, whereby said fidget-spinner toy can be comfortably and conveniently held in one hand while said tip apparatus rests on said thumb of said hand and as said gyroscopic rotor is rotated by said means for rotating said gyroscopic rotor when moving said thumb and said tip end of a finger closer together and then farther apart again repeatedly so motion of said finger does not impede the motion of rotating said gyroscopic rotor, and whereby smooth reciprocating motion of said tip end of a finger moving said reciprocating actuator rod comprising said means for rotating said gyroscopic rotor replaces awkward flicking motion of said finger to rotate said gyroscopic rotor.
 3. The fidget-spinner toy of claim 2 wherein said means for rotating said gyroscopic rotor is comprised of a piston and cylinder.
 4. The fidget-spinner toy of claim 2 wherein said means for rotating said gyroscopic rotor is comprised of a spiraled shaft and a one-way clutch apparatus.
 5. The fidget-spinner toy of claim 2 wherein said means for rotating said gyroscopic rotor is comprised of a ratcheting-arm and gear with a multitude of teeth.
 6. The fidget-spinner toy of claim 2 wherein said means for rotating said gyroscopic rotor is comprised of a pull-string, elastic band, or diaphragm.
 7. The fidget-spinner toy of claim 2 wherein said finger-holding apparatus is expandable to accommodate holding more than one finger or else for holding fingers of different sizes.
 8. The fidget-spinner toy of claim 2 wherein said tip apparatus is comprised of means for temporarily holding said tip apparatus firmly to said thumb, whereby said tip apparatus does not slip off said thumb when said tip of said finger actuates said reciprocating actuator rod to rotate said gyroscopic rotor, or when entire said fidget-spinner toy is held upside down.
 9. The fidget-spinner toy of claim 2 wherein said gyroscopic rotor is manufactured in a shape or size that reflects similarities to or signifies a toy action figure, a cartoon character, or any other well known or popular item, object, or person of interest to the public.
 10. A method of using a fidget-spinner toy, comprising: (a) first providing a fidget-spinner toy capable of being held in one hand between the thumb and the tip end of another finger comprised of a gyroscopic rotor, means for rotating said gyroscopic rotor which is further comprised of a reciprocating actuator rod, and a tip apparatus, then (b) placing said tip apparatus of provided said fidget-spinner toy so it rests on a thumb and so entire provided said fidget-spinner toy rests between said thumb and the tip end of another finger, then (c) rotating said gyroscopic rotor around its spin axis in one direction only by moving said reciprocating actuator rod with bidirectional linear motion of said tip end of another finger as said thumb and said tip end of another finger move closer together and then farther apart again repeatedly, or alternatively (d) placing said tip apparatus on any smooth surface, then (e) rotating said gyroscopic rotor unidirectional by moving said reciprocating actuator rod linearly into and out of the center of said gyroscopic rotor. 